Agustín Rossi analyzes key moments from the clash against Cruzeiro, praises Jorginho’s dedication, and comments on the long-range goal conceded in the Libertadores.
Flamengo secured their path forward in the Copa Libertadores following an intense performance against Cruzeiro at the Maracanã. Despite the positive result, two specific plays during the match caught the attention of fans and the press: the goal scored by Lucas Romero from outside the box, and a heroic goal-line clearance by Jorginho that prevented the match from becoming much more complicated for the Rubro-Negro.
In a mixed-zone interview, goalkeeper Agustín Rossi addressed both key plays. The Argentine highlighted his teammate’s attitude and explained the technical difficulty posed by the midfielder’s strike, reaffirming the squad’s commitment to their primary goal for the season.
The goalkeeper’s perspective
Speaking about Jorginho’s miraculous intervention, Rossi spared no praise for the fullback’s dedication. The Flamengo number one emphasized that the play was the result of great awareness and collective effort. As recorded by the M360 Team, the goalkeeper stated:
We have to congratulate Jorginho on that ball. He really believed in that play and kept running to clear it. It was a very difficult ball; it came from a cross, passed the near post, bounced, and dropped at the far post. He stayed with it and managed to clear it. That’s as good as a goal; it was crucial for our qualification.
Regarding the goal conceded, which sparked debate among fans, Rossi remained calm while evaluating the precision of Lucas Romero’s shot. According to the goalkeeper, the ball’s trajectory and the speed of the strike made an effective save difficult, and he added:
There’s nothing to say about the Cruzeiro goal; it was a tough shot. It was a screamer, and I could only react once the ball went past Jorginho. I almost reached it, but I couldn’t. However, the team put in a great effort to secure the victory, and that’s what we wanted.
The Libertadores landscape
Flamengo is currently in a strong position in the continental competition. With an impressive record of six wins and two draws so far, the team remains one of the top favorites for the title. Their group stage campaign, where the club finished as the best first-place team overall, gave them the strategic advantage of playing knockout legs at the Maracanã with the massive support of their fans.
Now, the focus is entirely on determining their next opponent in the quarterfinals, which will be the winner between Independiente del Valle and Tolima. The matchup is expected to be decided in the coming days as the team continues its pursuit of another Glória Eterna trophy.
